Abstract: A mascara brush includes bristles made from shape memory polymer (SMP) filaments. The SMP filaments are selected to exhibit a first shape during assembly of the brush, and a second shape after exposure to an external stimulus in the form of heat or other energy. During assembly, the SMP filaments are clamped between wire segments twisted to form a core. The first shape can be straight to facilitate assembly of the fibers in the wire core. The second shape, after assembly in the core and after being subjected to the external stimulus, can be any bristle shape suitable for enhancing the function of the brush, e.g., kinked, wavy or coiled. The brush head may be made solely of SMP filaments, or may be a blend of SMP filaments and any other suitable filament (e.g., nylon, natural plant or animal fibers, etc.).

Abstract: A sifter insert for the neck of a powder jar is secured above the product reservoir and below the cap of the jar. The insert has a central concave dish for supporting a quantity of powder product, and a channel around the perimeter of the dish. The insert is secured in the neck such that the dish is spaced below the bottom of the cap. Slots in the channel permit the flow of powder from the reservoir into the channel when the jar is inverted with the cap closed, and from the channel onto the dish when the inverted jar is righted. Powder in the dish is accessed by the user upon removal of the cap. The cap is then closed and the jar shaken to return excess powder from the dish to the reservoir through the slots in the channel.

Abstract: A cosmetic package has a sheet material pouch defining a product storage chamber, a neck member with a passage to the storage chamber, a cap on the neck member to close the passage and an applicator wand extending from the cap through the passage into the storage chamber. The pouch is securely attached to the neck member by way of pairs of horizontally extending wedges. The wedges form opposite outwardly directed, semi-elliptical bonding surfaces that intersect at an acute angle. The semi-elliptical bonding surfaces allow the sheet material of the pouch to transition smoothly about the neck member, such that the material can be reliably and imperviously secured to the neck member.

Abstract: A product package includes a disposable applicator pad assembly. The applicator pad assembly has a porous foam pad with an elastomer strip bonded to the perimeter of the pad. The elastomer strip is compressed between a retaining ring and the package to impermeably secure the pad assembly to the package. A cap is provided to cover the applicator pad. A sealing skirt depending from the cap is dimensioned to contact an inner annular portion of the strip in sealing engagement to prevent evaporation and to protect the applicator pad and package contents from contamination.

Abstract: A cosmetic sampler comprising a body and at least one applicator tip attached to the body, the applicator tip comprising an applicator surface and flocking. The flocking provides a surface that can receive a cosmetic product in an amount sufficient for one or two applications. Preferably, the individual bodies are stackable, the individual applicator tips are stackable and/or the assembled samplers are stackable. Optionally, a closure that covers the applicator tip and attaches to the body is included. The closure may provide either an ordinary or an airtight seal. Also, a method of making the cosmetic sampler comprising the steps of fabricating a hollow body, flocking a thermoformable substrate, thermoforming the flocked substrate into an applicator tip and attaching the applicator tip to the body. Alternatively, the applicator tip may be molded and then flocked and then attached to the body.